09 May 2007

African Activists Wrap Conference, Protest "State-Backed" Homophobia

Johannesburg, South Africa: The first conference of its just wrapped here as African gays protested what they called "state-sponsored" homophobia,
saying most authorities condone their persecution across the continent.

About 60 activists attended the International Gay and Lesbian Association's (ILGA) first
pan-African conference and all say they have seen first-hand the consequences
of laws that breed homophobia.

"We're talking with people who cannot even integrate in the
society," says Rowland Jide Macaulay, a gay priest who opened a gay-friendly church
in his native Nigeria. "They've lost their jobs because they found out that they're
gay at work, they've lost the roof over their head because their
landlord found out they are gay. Here are people who suffer
homophobic attacks ... verbal abuse, and I think people need assurance
they're not mentally ill."

A recent ILGA report documented the fact that 38 of the 85 United Nations member nations who outlaw homosexuality are in Africa. The report noted that while "many of the countries do not systematically implement those laws,
their mere existence reinforces a culture where a significant portion
of the citizens need to hide from the rest of the population in fear."

South Africa is the lone standout on the continent. Besides from gay-friendly legislation that protects its LGBT population, last year it became the first African nation to allow same-sex marriages. However, Kenya is making strides and Senegal recently included gay men in a government HIV/AIDS panel. Compared to North America or Europe, these are small steps, but, very important news in Africa.